Betty Jane Messersmith, 86, died at the Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Memorial services will be at the United Methodist Church in Traer at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, with burial at 2 p.m. at the Bethany Cemetery in rural Baxter. There will be no visitation.

She is survived by two daughters Marianne (Craig) Hillemeier of Hummelstown, Pa., and Carolyn (Eric) Laursen of Salt Lake City, Utah, one sister Mary (Ivan) Stansbery of Traer and four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold Franklin in 1974, one son John William in 1991 and three brothers Harold, Robert and Arlo.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church in Traer.